Paralegal Risk Management

Job Description

DHR Health – US:

TX:

Edinburg – Days

Summary: FLSA STATUS: ☐ Exempt ☒ Non-Exempt

Mission Statement: Our Mission is to improve the well‑being of those we serve with a commitment to excellence: every patient, every encounter, every time.

Vision: Our Vision is to create a world‑class health system to advance medicine and increase access for the communities we serve by empowering caregivers to heal through compassion, knowledge, innovation, integrated care and excellence.

Position Summary: The Paralegal supports the hospital’s Risk Management and Legal functions by assisting with claims management, incident investigations, regulatory compliance, litigation support, and document control. This role serves as a liaison between Risk Management, Legal Counsel, clinical leadership, and external parties to help mitigate organizational risk.

• Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies or a paralegal certification required.
• Excellent customer service skills required.
• Computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office suite required.
• Good written and verbal communication skills required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years of paralegal or legal support experience required.
• Knowledge of medical malpractice and healthcare law preferred.
• Experience in loss control and claims management preferred.
• Risk management experience in a healthcare setting preferred.
• Experience in working with teams in a complex organization required.

• Promotes the facility’s mission, vision and values by effectively communicating them to others. Considers mission, vision and values in developing services, standards and practices.
• Assists with the management of professional and general liability claims, including intake, tracking, documentation, and coordination with internal stakeholders and external counsel.
• Works with legal counsel to coordinate the investigation, processing, and defense of claims against the facility; records, collects, documents, maintains, and provides to defense attorneys any requested information and documents necessary to prepare testimony in pending litigation.
• Maintains and manages confidential risk management files, legal documentation, claims databases, and litigation holds.
• Assists with preparation of responses to subpoenas, requests for records, and discovery in collaboration with Risk Management staff and Legal Counsel.
• With director of guest relations: reviews patient complaints that may be the source of potential legal action; discusses and offers solutions when possible to resolve with patient and/or family any grievances perceived as potential liability claims.
• Tracks deadlines, court dates, hearings, and required responses to ensure timely follow‑up.
• Provides assistance to departments in complying with The Joint Commission, CMS, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), or other accrediting agencies, regarding risk management related standards.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with clinicians, management, and staff to promote open communication and accurate flow of information.
• Directly refers to administration those incidents with claims potential; reports to higher authority any serious event involving actual or potential injury to patients, visitors or employees.
• Reviews national and local claims data; analyzes prior claims, lawsuits, and complaints against the facility.
• Notifies the liability insurance carrier of all actual and potential claims, including primary and excess carriers as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Chain of command:
1. Director → 2. VP of Quality, Patient Safety, and Accreditation → 3. Chief of Quality

Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service to all DHR customers. All employees are required to attend the DHR C.A.R.E.S program which outlines the Customer Service Principals including:
Commitment, Accountability, Respect, Excellence and Service.

Age Specific: Employees must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her assigned unit. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of principles of…